Three point tool carrier for a skid steer

ABSTRACT

A tool carrier is described for attachment to or in combination with skid steer vehicle. The preferred carrier includes an elongated frame including forward and rearward ends, and ground supporting wheels at the forward end. A skid steer attachment is provided at the rearward end. The frame further includes a beam extending between the forward and rearward ends, with a tool mount adapted to mount a tool. In preferred forms, the frame is pivotable about an articulation axis adjacent the rearward frame end.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is an original United States patent application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to skid steer attachments, and more particularly to an extension frame for mounting existing tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is intended for use and in combination with skid steer vehicles. As used herein, a skid steer vehicle should be understood broadly as including self powered wheel or track type work vehicles such as tractors, excavators, front loaders, backhoes, and others which provide elevationally movable support to a tool such as a bucket, scraper, blade or other tool.

[0004] Small skid steer units find heavy use especially in rental markets because the smaller vehicles are typically easy to maneuver and transport. Small skid steers are especially versatile in that numbers of accessories are available for attachment to the tool mounting frames. Accessories such as bucket loaders, box scrapers, rippers, grader blades, levelers, back-hoes, and others have been developed especially for ready attachment to the lift frames of skid steer vehicles.

[0005] Known attachment arrangements are usually mounted immediately in front of the skid steer, even though it may be more desirable to situate the tools further forward as with grader blades.

[0006] It becomes desirable in some applications, for example backfilling or trail building, edge grading, etc; to have a ground working implement mounted forward and to one side of the skid steer. Such a side articulated implement may be used in areas where it is undesirable for the vehicle to follow directly behind a tool. Side articulation mounts have not been available with known forms of skid steer implements.

[0007] Road and trail building tasks require grading equipment for efficiency. Elongated road graders are very effective for such work, but are not easily maneuvered in confined areas.

[0008] Custom tools made exclusively for a skid steer not having a three point hitch will not fit other tractor vehicles with three point hitch connectors. Conversely, three point hitch implements will not mount to skid steers that do not provide three point hitch connectors. For example, a box scraper with three-point hitch attachment provisions cannot be mounted to a vehicle without three point hitch connectors. This diversity of mounting arrangements requires that a company or individual with three point hitch vehicles and skid steer vehicles have an inventory of tools that will fit both vehicle types. Thus two tools having otherwise similar characteristics are often needed, with one being mountable to the three point hitch vehicle and the other to the skid steer.

[0009] While skid steer accessories are many and varied, it is still likely that three point hitch implements are more generally prevalent. This is true primarily because the three point hitch is standardized for many different tractor and other vehicle brands, while mounting attachments for non three point hitch skid steer vehicles are relatively new.

[0010] From the above, it may be understood that there is a need for a device by which a three point hitch implement may be mounted to a skid steer tractor vehicle.

[0011] From the above it may also be understood that there is a need for a device that will facilitate articulation of an implement to one side of a vehicle to enable use of the tool in areas where it is undesirable for the associated vehicle to travel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a combination including a skid steer and a carrier with the carrier articulated to one side of the skid steer;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 1 only showing the skid steer tipped upwardly on its rear wheels;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective side elevation view of a preferred form of the present carrier;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 only showing the attached tool, a box scraper, lifted upwardly;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 only showing the attached tool with one end lifted above the other;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the combination shown in FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a fragmented view showing attachment of a different three point hitch tool;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view illustrating the carrier elevated above a tool;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a top plan schematic view illustrating articulation of the carrier to opposed sides of a skid steer; and

[0022]FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmented view of a box scraper attached to the carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

[0024] Before describing elements of the preferred embodiments in detail, general descriptions of aspects of the invention will be given with reference to the examples set forth in the accompanying drawings.

[0025] In one aspect of the invention, a three point tool carrier 10 for a skid steer vehicle 12 is provided in which an elongated frame 14 includes a forward end 16 and a rearward end 18. Ground supporting wheels 20 at the forward end and a skid steer attachment 22 at the rearward end 18. The frame further includes an elevated beam 24 situated between the forward and rearward ends 16, 18. Further, a three point hitch connector assembly 26 is provided on the frame between the forward and rearward ends, adapted to mount a tool T.

[0026] In another aspect, a combination of a three point tool carrier 10 and skid steer 12 are provided. The skid steer vehicle 12 has a forward tool attachment bracket 13 that is configured to mount a tool for elevational movement and pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis X. Also included are an elongated frame 14 including a forward end 16 and a rearward end 18, with ground supporting wheels 20 at the forward end 16 and a skid steer attachment 22 at the rearward end 18, mounted to the attachment bracket 13 of the skid steer vehicle 12. The frame 14 further includes an elevated beam 24 situated between the forward and rearward ends 16, 18. A three point hitch connector assembly 26 is disposed between the forward and rearward ends 16, 18 and is adapted to mount a tool T.

[0027] A further aspect includes a tool carrier 10 for a skid steer vehicle 12, in which the carrier 10 includes an elongated frame 14 including a forward end 16 and a rearward end 18, with ground supporting wheels 20 at the forward end 16. A skid steer attachment 22 is provided at the rearward end 18. The frame further includes a beam 24 that extends between the forward and rearward ends 16, 18. A tool mount 25 is provided on the frame between the forward and rearward ends 16, 18, adapted to mount a tool T. The frame is pivotable about an articulation axis A adjacent the rearward frame end 18.

[0028] Referring now in greater detail to the various aspects and elements of the preferred embodiments, reference is directed firstly to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a skid steer 12 is shown along with the carrier 10. It is pointed out that the skid steer 12 and carrier 10 may be provided as a combination, or that the present carrier 10 may be provided independently of the skid steer for attachment thereto.

[0029] The skid steer 12 as shown in the drawings is a mere example of a vehicle that includes an elevationally movable forward tool mount bracket 13. There are various other forms of vehicles that may be utilized in addition to the exemplary unit shown. Such vehicles are of conventional form and are well known. Additional details will therefore not be provided except as where such features of the skid steer vehicle are useful in describing the carrier 10. To this end, the skid steer is shown to include a traction arrangement such as the ground engaging wheels, provided in a forward pair of wheels 35 and a rearward pair 36.

[0030] The forward tool bracket 13 may be provided at a forward end of lifting arms 37 that may be pivoted at 38 by hydraulic ram cylinders 39 or other appropriate lifting mechanism. The lifting arms 37 in the illustrated example are situated above the rear wheels 36 and to opposite sides of the operator station inside. The tool mounting bracket 13 preferably spans the lifting arms 37 at their forward ends. The tool bracket 13 may also be a conventional mechanism that is used to connect or mount preferred various non-three point hitch tools such as a bucket loader, forks, blades, etc. Preferred forms of skid steers may also provide a pivot cylinder 40 that is positioned between the lifting arms and connects tool bracket 13 and skid steer frame to selectively pivot the tool mount bracket 13 and an attached tool about the axis X. In the illustrations, the bracket 13 is attached to the present tool carrier 10 which extends forwardly to provide a forward mount for a tool T.

[0031] The skid steer 12 may typically be provided with appropriate hydraulic circuitry and controls for operating various attachments. Such circuitry, control mechanisms and drive assemblies are also considered to be conventional and will not be discussed in detail herein.

[0032] Preferred forms of the present carrier 10 include a skid steer attachment 22 at the rearward frame and 18. The configuration of the skid steer attachment 22 is such as to facilitate a quick coupling of the carrier to the forward tool bracket 13 of the skid steer. Thus, the attachment 22 may be configured to whatever tool attachment is provided on the skid steer.

[0033] The carrier frame 14 is preferably comprised of the elevated beam 24 which, in the illustrated configuration, may be provided as two preferably parallel beam members that extend between the skid steer attachment 22 and the forward frame end 16. These overhead beams are utilized to supply mounting support for the tool mount or three point hitch assembly 26 at a location intermediate the wheels 20 at the forward frame end 16 and the skid steer attachment 22 at the rearward frame end 18.

[0034] It is preferred that the wheels 20 be provided in the form of “crazy wheels” which are of the caster variety and which may freely pivot about vertical axes and rotate about trailing wheel axes. This form of wheel will allow motion at the forward end of the frame 14 in nearly any direction. It is preferred that two of the crazy wheels 20 be provided, with each being in substantial alignment with a respective elongated beam part of the frame.

[0035] In preferred forms of the present carrier 10, the frame 14 may be articulated from a point adjacent the rearward end 18 about the axis A. Thus, the frame 14 may be pivotably joined about the axis A by a joint arrangement which is exemplified in a preferred form in FIG. 6. The axis A is defined by a pivot pin 45 that may join the frame 14 and skid steer attachment 22, preferably at a central location.

[0036] One or more ram cylinders 46 may be mounted to opposite sides of the pivot pin and connecting the frame and skid steer attachment 22. These cylinders may be connected by conventional couplers and by a control circuit integrated with the carrier 10 for operation from the skid steer to articulate the frame and carrier about the axis A. Thus, the carrier 10 may be effectively articulated as indicated in FIG. 9 about the axis A to either side of the skid steer 12. The pivot cylinders 48 may be powered to affect the adjustment positioning of the carrier frame by appropriate drive and controls provided within the skid steer. The “crazy wheels” 20 facilitate such pivotal motion to opposite sides of the skid steer 12 and will further pivot to accommodate forward or rearward motion of the skid steer while the frame is held to either side.

[0037] The three point hitch assembly 26 is provided to attach conventional or nonconventional form of tools T that have three point hitch mounting arrangements thereon. The assembly 26, in a preferred form, includes a pair of swing arms 50 that extend rearwardly from the forward frame end 16. The swing arms are pivotably mounted in the preferred form to the frame 14 and further provide pivotal connection for the lower hitch point connections L of the particular tool T.

[0038] Each of the swing arms 50 is preferably adjustable about the frame mounted pivot axis by provision of a ram cylinder 51. In preferred forms, the cylinders 51 are each mounted to the elevated beam 24 by universal joint arrangements 52. The cylinders 51 may be independently operated or operated in unison to cause corresponding elevational or pivoted adjustment of the tool T.

[0039] A center cylinder 55 may also be provided with a center hitch point bracket mount 56 that may be connected to the upper central hitch point connection C on the tool T. One end of the cylinder 55 is preferably pivotably mounted to the carrier frame 14 adjacent the forward frame end 16. Operation of the cylinder to retract or extend may be controlled in tandem with or independently of the ram cylinders 51. It can therefore be seen that variety of pivoted positions may be accomplished by operation of the cylinders 51 and 55, resulting in a wide variety of potential adjusted positions for the selected tool T.

[0040] It is emphasized that various forms of tools may be attached to the three point hitch assembly 26. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and 8-10, the tool T is shown to be a box scraper. FIG. 7, illustrates an alternative tool T in the form of a grader blade. Still further, forms of tools may be attached, particularly if the carrier is provided with the preferred three point hitch assembly 26. All such tools will be carried at the forward position with respect to the skid steer, but rearwardly of the wheels 20. Thus, tools that might ordinarily be mounted to a rear three point hitch of a towing vehicle such as a tractor.

[0041] It is pointed out that the various cylinders provided on the carrier and those provided by the skid steer may be controlled by conventional valving and control mechanisms, some provided internally within the skid steer, and others that may be attached by conventional couplings and valving through a control box B (exemplified in schematic form in FIG. 6). The operator is thereby given numerous options for positioning the carrier. Such adjustments may be made to facilitate use of the attached tool for its intended purpose, to maneuver the carrier and skid steer for purposes of positioning the tool for operation, or for disengaging or engaging the tool.

[0042] Several examples of operational positions of the skid steer and carrier are shown in FIGS. 1-6, 8, and 9.

[0043] Looking at FIG. 1, the carrier is shown pivoted slightly to one side of the skid steer. This position would correspond with one of the dashed line positions shown in FIG. 9 and be effected by appropriate operation of the ram cylinders 45, through the control box B.

[0044]FIG. 2 illustrates a maneuvering position in which the central pivot cylinder 40 on the skid steer has been operated to pivot the skid steer attachment 22 and forward tool bracket 13 about the axis X, thereby lifting the forward end of the skid steer upwardly from the ground or other support surface. This action and resulting orientation facilitates very tight turning of the entire unit by rotating the rear drive wheels in opposite directions. The skid steer and carrier 10 will therefore pivot the entire assembly including the skid steer and carrier about an axis between the rear wheels of the skid steer. It is pointed out that the crazy wheels at the forward end of the carrier will simply follow any pivoted or linear movement of the skid steer.

[0045]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate, by comparison, the capability of the three point hitch assembly 26 to adjustably position the tool T. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the box scraper tool is in a downward, operative position. In FIG. 4, the tool is lifted upwardly from the FIG. 3 position to an inoperative position. Again, comparing FIGS. 3 and 4 to FIG. 5, it may be seen that the box scraper in the FIG. 5 position has been tipped to one side. That is, one of the lifting arms 37 has been lowered while the other has been lifted. This adjustment is convenient for doing various forms of angular grading through use of the three point mount cylinders 51, 55.

[0046] Attention is drawn to FIG. 8 where the carrier 10 is shown in an elevated position. This is accomplished simply by operating the ram cylinders 39 to cause upward pivotal motion of the lifting arms 37 and the attached carrier 10. The carrier 10, in this position, may be maneuvered to allow detachment of the tool 10 and further maneuvering of the assembly over a different tool to facilitate re-attachment.

[0047] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A three point tool carrier for a skid steer vehicle, comprising: an elongated frame including a forward end and a rearward end, with ground supporting wheels at the forward end and a skid steer attachment at the rearward end; wherein the frame further includes an elevated beam situated between the forward and rearward ends; and a three point hitch connector assembly on the frame between the forward and rearward ends, adapted to mount a tool.
 2. The three point tool carrier of claim 1, further comprising an articulation joint on the frame adjacent the rearward frame end, permitting pivotal articulation of the frame at the forward end about a substantially upright axis.
 3. The three point tool carrier of claim 1 further comprising adjustment cylinders on the three point hitch connector.
 4. The three point tool carrier of claim 1 wherein the ground supporting wheels are pivoted caster wheels.
 5. The three point tool carrier of claim 1 wherein the ground supporting wheels are pivoted caster wheels about caster wheel axes and further comprising an articulation joint on the frame adjacent the rearward frame end, permitting pivotal articulation of the frame at the forward end about a substantially upright axis that is substantially parallel to the caster wheel axes.
 6. The three point tool carrier of claim 1 further comprising an articulation joint on the frame adjacent the rearward frame end, permitting pivotal articulation of the frame at the forward end about a substantially upright axis.
 7. The three point tool carrier of claim 1 wherein the three point hitch connector assembly includes two side link connectors and a central connector, and wherein at least two of the connectors are mounted to the frame for pivotal motion effected by at least two ram cylinders.
 8. The three point tool carrier of claim 1 wherein the three point hitch connector assembly includes two side link connectors and a central connector, and wherein the central connector is mounted to the frame by a ram cylinder.
 9. The three point tool carrier of claim 1 wherein the three point hitch connector assembly includes two side link connectors and a central connector; and wherein the side link connectors are pivotably joined to the frame by ball joints and further comprising ram cylinders mounted on universal joints to the frame for independently lifting and lowering the individual side link connectors.
 10. In combination, a three point tool carrier and skid steer, comprising: a skid steer vehicle having a forward tool attachment bracket configured to mount a tool for elevational movement and pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis; an elongated frame including a forward end and a rearward end, with ground supporting wheels at the forward end and a skid steer attachment at the rearward end mounted to the attachment bracket of the skid steer vehicle; wherein the frame further includes an elevated beam situated between the forward and rearward ends; and a three point hitch connector assembly on the frame between the forward and rearward ends, adapted to mount a tool.
 11. The three point tool carrier of claim 10, further comprising an articulation joint on the frame adjacent the rearward frame end, permitting pivotal articulation of the frame at the forward end about a substantially upright axis.
 12. The three point tool carrier of claim 10 further comprising adjustment cylinders on the three point hitch connector.
 13. The three point tool carrier of claim 10 wherein the ground supporting wheels are pivoted caster wheels.
 14. The three point tool carrier of claim 10 wherein the ground supporting wheels are pivoted caster wheels about caster wheel axes and further comprising an articulation joint on the frame adjacent the rearward frame end, permitting pivotal articulation of the frame at the forward end about a substantially upright axis that is substantially parallel to the caster wheel axes.
 15. The three point tool carrier of claim 10 further comprising an articulation joint on the frame adjacent the rearward frame end, permitting pivotal articulation of the frame at the forward end about a substantially upright axis.
 16. The three point tool carrier of claim 10 wherein the three point hitch connector assembly includes two side link connectors and a central connector, and wherein at least two of the connectors are mounted to the frame for pivotal motion effected by at least two ram cylinders.
 17. The three point tool carrier of claim 10 wherein the three point hitch connector assembly includes two side link connectors and a central connector, and wherein the central connector is mounted to the frame by a ram cylinder.
 18. The three point tool carrier of claim 10 wherein the three point hitch connector assembly includes two side link connectors and a central connector; and wherein the side link connectors are pivotably joined to the frame by ball joints and further comprising ram cylinders mounted on universal joints to the frame for independently lifting and lowering the individual side link connectors.
 19. A tool carrier for a skid steer vehicle, comprising: an elongated frame including a forward end and a rearward end, with ground supporting wheels at the forward end and a skid steer attachment at the rearward end; wherein the frame further includes a beam situated between the forward and rearward ends; a tool mount on the frame between the forward and rearward ends, adapted to mount a tool; and wherein the frame is pivotable about an articulation axis adjacent the rearward frame end. 